Following police pursuit and threats to officers; held on $105,000 bail

By Lt. Michael Mellone, Antioch Police Department

This morning, Monday, January 26, 2026, at 4:17 a.m., Antioch Police Dispatch received a 911 call reporting a disturbance in the 800 block of L Street. The caller reported that a man was knocking on a resident’s door and telling the occupants they did not live there, before returning to his vehicle, honking repeatedly and driving in circles in the area.

Officers responded and learned the man, later identified as Jesse Ryan Cheroti, a 35-year-old resident of Pittsburg, (born 2/25/1990) was unknown to the residents and was alleged to have attempted to hit one of them with his vehicle during their encounter.

A short time later, officers located the suspect vehicle nearby and attempted a traffic stop. Cheroti failed to yield and fled at a slow speed before being stopped by officers. Officers attempted to negotiate with Cheroti and employ de-escalation techniques, but he was not cooperative. During the incident, Cheroti made verbal threats toward responding officers and later attempted to flee a second time.

Following the second attempt to flee, officers deployed a tire deflation device and again boxed the vehicle in, bringing the pursuit to an end. Officers were able to safely take Cheroti into custody. He was transported and booked into the Martinez Detention Facility.

Cheroti was arrested for the following violations:

• Penal Code 245(a)(1) — Assault with a deadly weapon (other than a firearm)
• Penal Code 71 — Threats against a public officer or employee
• Vehicle Code 2800.4 — Evading a peace officer by driving in the opposite direction of traffic
• Vehicle Code 23152(f) — Driving under the influence of drugs

No injuries were reported to officers or members of the public.

According to the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office, the five-foot, 10-inch tall, 160-pound Cheroti is Hispanic and being held on $105,000 bail.

According to RecentlyBooked.com, he was arrested on Jan. 13 by San Joaquin County Sheriff for DUI.

Anyone with information related to this incident is encouraged to contact the Antioch Police Department at (925) 778-2441 and reference Case #26-900.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this arrest.

By Allen D. Payton

In an update on Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026, Antioch Police Lt. William Whitaker reported, that the Contra Costa County Coroner’s office completed an autopsy over the weekend on the 17-year-old female victim whose body was found on the side of the road near Antioch High School and the Contra Costa County fairgrounds Friday morning.

Based on the findings it appears the victim, Jeana Flores, was struck by a vehicle. Based on the findings this will be classified as a fatal hit-and-run investigation. The Antioch Police Department’s Traffic Safety Unit will take over the investigation.

As previously reported, on Friday, January 23, 2026 at 3:33 a.m., the Antioch Police Dispatch Center received a report of a person down on the side of the roadway in the area of L Street between West 18th Street and West 10th Street, directly across the street from the football field in Eells Stadium at Antioch High School.

Responding officers arrived on scene and located an adult female victim. Officers immediately rendered medical aid; however, the victim died at the scene. Based on preliminary information and evidence, the death is being investigated as suspicious. Currently, there are no known suspects.

Later, KTVU FOX2 reported on Saturday the family had identified Flores and shared comments by Flores’ father, Joseph. According to the report, “Joseph said he knew something was wrong when he got on the phone with an Antioch police investigator, who asked if he was sitting down. Joseph said that, after sharing the news, the investigator told him his daughter last visited a family friend – who he identified as his sister due to their close relationship.”

About Jeana he said, “She was fierce, sometimes. She was witty. She had a really, really good heart.” Joseph said she was working on Treasure Island through Job Corps.

Anyone with information related to this collision is encouraged to contact Antioch Police Officer James Desiderio at (925) 331-7474 or via email at jdesiderio@antiochca.gov.

Early Friday morning before school hours

By Lt. William Whitaker #6155, Antioch Police Investigations Bureau

APD UPDATE: Additional information has come to light. The victim was a 17-year-old female and was not a student in the Antioch Unified School District.

On January 23 at 3:33 a.m., the Antioch Police Department Dispatch Center received a report of a person down on the side of the roadway in the area of L Street between West 18th Street and West 10th Street, directly across the street from the football field in Eells Stadium at Antioch High School.

Responding officers arrived on scene and located an adult female victim. Officers immediately rendered medical aid; however, the victim died at the scene. Based on preliminary information and evidence, the death is being investigated as suspicious. Currently, there are no known suspects.

Later, Whitaker said the girl had injuries that were inconsistent with an accidental fall but that did not necessarily indicate a homicide and officers did not find evidence of narcotics use.

The Antioch Police Department’s Investigations Bureau, including Crime Scene Investigators and detectives from the Violent Crimes Unit, responded and assumed responsibility for the investigation. This is an active investigation, and no additional information is available at this time. Any updates will be released by the Investigations Bureau as they become available.

Anyone with information related to this incident is encouraged to contact Antioch Police Detective Robert Ibanez at (925) 481-8398 or via email at ribanez@antiochca.gov.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Suspect Ronald Benjamin Jackson, III currently in San Quentin state prison on unrelated charges.

Previously arrested in 2022 for shooting, killing Antioch convenience store clerk, but DA Becton didn’t charge with murder

By Allen D. Payton

According to Antioch Police Lt. William Whitaker of the department’s Investigations Bureau, “after an extensive investigation, the Antioch Police Department has solved the homicide of Raheem Coe, a 48-year-old Antioch homeless resident who was found deceased on May 15, 2024, near medical office buildings in the Country Hills Drive area.”

As previously reported, at approximately 7:19 AM, on that date, Antioch police officers responded to the 2200 block of Country Hills Drive to assist Contra Costa Fire on a reported male down on the sidewalk possibly in need of medical attention.

When officers arrived, they located a deceased male. The cause of death was unknown at the time. The Antioch Police Department’s Investigations Bureau, consisting of Crime Scene Investigators and detectives with the Violent Crimes Unit took over the investigation. After an autopsy and further investigation, the death was determined to be a homicide. The victim frequented the area where he was discovered.

As previously reported, independent reports from two sources claimed Coe’s death was believed to be caused by blunt force trauma, including to his head and chest.

At the time, local homeless advocate Andrew Becker, who knew Coe and had several interactions with him, said, “Raheem Coe was on the street for the last couple of years, in the Lone Tree-Deer Valley area. He’s had several interactions with City staff including being swept multiple times by Public Works and Code Enforcement.”

“We had several conversations about shelter and services, and he was seeking shelter,” Becker continued. “He did have contact with his family who are also local.”

Through the processing of evidence, witness interviews, and the review of video surveillance, detectives identified 23-year-old Ronald Benjamin Jackson, III as the suspect in this homicide. Jackson is currently in custody at San Quentin State Prison on unrelated charges.

The case was presented to the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office, which has filed charges against Jackson for PC 187 – Homicide, PC 207(a) – Kidnapping, and PC 422 – Criminal Threats. Jackson will be transferred to the Martinez Detention Facility pending future court proceedings.

Jackson was previously arrested for robbing an Antioch gas station convenience store and killing the 36-year-old clerk in November 2022. (See related articles here and here)

However, Contra Costa District Attorney Diana Becton announced the following week that her Office declined to file murder charges in the case, based on the clerk’s actions and “upon an established law that clearly states a person cannot pursue another to retrieve stolen property once the threat of bodily injury or harm to the victim has subsided.” 

According to localcrimenews.com, Jackson was also arrested by Antioch Police on May 25, 2024, for kidnapping, battery on a spouse, cohabitant or former spouse and threats of violence, and on Oct. 26, 2022, for vandalism: paint, cruelty to an animal and carrying a loaded firearm when not the registered owner.

Anyone with additional information regarding this investigation is encouraged to contact Antioch Police Detective John Cox at (925) 481-8147 or by email at jcox@antiochca.gov.

Case filed with Contra Costa County DA’s Office

By Allen D. Payton

According to Antioch Police Lt. William Whitaker, Ryan Hardy, the 23-year-old suspect in the Antioch shooting of an 11-year-old girl on Jan. 5, 2025, has been charged with attempted homicide.

“The Antioch Police Department Investigations Bureau has continued to work diligently on this investigation over the past week,” Whitaker further shared. The case has been filed with the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office. Charges are as follows: Attempted Homicide – PC 664/PC 187 (a) (Five Counts) and Negligent Discharge of a firearm – PC 246

As previously reported, on Monday January 5, 2026, at 12:38 PM, Antioch Police Department officers responded to a report of shots fired in the parking lot of the Delta View Apartment complex located at 3915 Delta Fair Boulevard. While officers were responding, they learned that an 11-year-old girl had sustained a gunshot wound to the head while inside a vehicle in the apartment complex parking lot.  The girl was transported to Children’s Hospital Oakland.

Previously, Whitaker shared that “the bullet is lodged in her head and they’re trying to monitor to her to decide if they’re going to remove it or leave it.” As of Monday he said, “They are leaving it in for 90 days and will then reassess.”

As a result of the continued investigation, detectives have determined that the victim and her family were not involved in any criminal activity at the time of the shooting. The shooting appears to have occurred because of a misidentification of the intended target.

On Jan. 7th, police identified Hardy and encouraged him to peacefully surrender. On Monday, Jan. 12th, Ryan Hardy self-surrendered to the San Francisco Sheriff’s Office and, according to Detective John Cox, he was to be transported to Contra Costa County today.

Anyone with information related to this incident is encouraged to contact Antioch Police Detective John Cox at (925) 481-8147 or via email at jcox@antiochca.gov.

By Antioch Police Department

We will be holding a community meeting for City Council District 1 residents on Tuesday, January 20th, 2026, to provide updates as well as discuss any issues or concerns. The meeting will begin at 5:00 PM in the Antioch Police Department’s Community Room at 300 L Street.

According to Community Liaison Officer Joseph Amiri the meeting will include an open forum with Q&A. Some of the topics that will be covered are Neighborhood Watch and staffing updates, as well as additional resources such as CitizenRIMS, which stands for (Records Information Management System), and a discussion of See, Click, Fix.

Antioch City Council District 1 includes all the area north of Highway 4 and east of Highway 160. To find your council district visit https://www.antiochca.gov/243/Find-Your-City-Council-District.

For more information contact Officer Amiri at jamiri@antiochca.gov or (925) 779-6900 extension 87046.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Held on $2.92 million bail

Police share latest condition of victim

By Lt. William Whitaker #6155, Antioch Police Investigations Bureau

On Monday, January 12, 2026, Ryan Hardy, the suspect in the shooting of an 11-year-old girl in Antioch on January 5th, self-surrendered to the San Francisco Sheriff’s Office.

As a result of the continued investigation, detectives have determined that the victim and her family were not involved in any criminal activity at the time of the shooting. The shooting appears to have occurred because of a misidentification of the intended target. The case is expected to be filed with the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office later this week.

As previously reported, on Monday January 5, 2026, at 12:38 PM, Antioch Police Department officers responded to a report of shots fired in the parking lot of the Delta View Apartment complex located at 3915 Delta Fair Boulevard. While officers were responding, they learned that an 11-year-old girl had sustained a gunshot wound to the head while inside a vehicle in the apartment complex parking lot. 

On Jan. 7th, police identified Hardy and encouraged him to peacefully surrender.

Asked about the condition of the girl, Lt. Whitaker responded, “She is trending in the right direction. She is stable, staring to regain her sight and can walk. It will be a long road of recovery, but she is alive.”

Previously, he shared that “the bullet is lodged in her head and they’re trying to monitor to her to decide if they’re going to remove it or leave it.” Asked if the doctors had made a determination, Whitaker responded, “They are leaving it in for 90 days and will then reassess.”

According to the San Francisco Sheriff’s Office, the 23-year-old Hardy is being held on $2.92 million bail, currently in San Francisco County Jail #2.

The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information related to this incident is encouraged to contact Antioch Police Detective John Cox at (925) 481-8147 or via email at jcox@antiochca.gov.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

At gas station early Monday morning

By Lt. Michael Mellone, Field Services Division, Antioch Police Department

On Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, at 1:11 a.m., Antioch Police Department officers responded to the ARCO at 3300 Hillcrest Avenue for a report of a disturbance. Upon arrival, officers located a 17-year-old juvenile suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. The juvenile was transported to an area hospital for medical treatment, and his condition is not considered life-threatening.

The victim’s identity is not being released.

This incident is being actively investigated by APD detectives. Investigators are conducting follow-up interviews, collecting and analyzing evidence, and reviewing available video and other investigative leads in an effort to identify and locate all involved parties. The investigation into this incident remains ongoing. To protect the integrity of the investigation, the Antioch Police Department is not releasing additional details at this time.

Anyone with information related to this case is encouraged to contact the Antioch Police Department Investigations Unit at (925) 779-6926. You may also email information to tips@antiochca.gov. Tipsters may remain anonymous.